Ideal MLB Playoff Scenarios We Would Most Like to See
There's still plenty to be decided in terms of the MLB playoff picture, but it's not too early to talk about potential storylines we'd most like to see. Over the next few slides, we'll identify a handful of ideal playoff scenarios.
The 2015 postseason won't be short on compelling narratives. After all, teams like the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays are headed toward October baseball after years of subpar seasons.
What makes a postseason scenario can't-miss? There's not really any defined criteria with these selections. But any matchup that will draw viewership is definitely on the table.
Examples? How about two budding rivals—the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays—meeting up in the American League Championship Series? What about a National League Wild Card pitching matchup between Jake Arrieta and Gerrit Cole? And who wouldn't tune in to watch Clayton Kershaw pitch in an elimination game?
Those are just a few of the storylines we'll analyze over the coming slides. Let us know what you think of our choices in the comments section below. Are there any we missed?
Let's get started with a battle between two of the top late-inning units in baseball.
Royals Bullpen vs. Yankees Bullpen
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Last October, the Kansas City Royals proved just how valuable a dominant bullpen can be in the postseason.
In 15 games, Kansas City relievers posted a 2.74 ERA, including a sub-2.00 ERA from each of Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera and Greg Holland. In 2015, the Royals boast similar dominance in the later innings. K.C. ranks first in baseball in relievers ERA and has five different options sporting a sub-3.00 ERA with at least 20 innings of work.
Like most leagues, MLB has a copycat culture. While Kansas City's bullpen is arguably the best in the league again in 2015, there are other units capable of dramatically shortening games.
Fortunately for baseball fans, there's a bullpen that matches up with Kansas City's quite well, and it belongs to the New York Yankees. Manager Joe Girardi's squad ranks first in bullpen WAR and second in strikeouts per nine innings.
An argument can be made that Kansas City's pen is a little deeper than New York's, but the Yankees can match the trio of Davis, Herrera and Holland with a lights-out group of their own. Dellin Betances leads MLB relievers in WAR and is third in K/9, while closer Andrew Miller is 31-for-32 in save opportunities with a 1.62 ERA.
Before handing the ball off to the combination of Betances and Miller, Girardi has discovered dependable options in Justin Wilson (3.20 ERA) and Chasen Shreve (1.86 ERA).
Picture this: the Yankees and Royals, deadlocked in a dramatic, back-and-forth affair that comes down to each team's bullpen. It would be strength on strength.
There's no way to know which team would come out on top, but watching both units try to close out a must-win game would be must-see TV.
NL Wild Card Game: Arrieta vs. Cole
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The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are on a collision course to meet in a do-or-die National League Wild Card Game.
Since both teams' spots in the game are relatively comfortable, they should be able to line up their pitching staffs in order to start the pitcher of their choosing. That means we could very well see a Jake Arrieta/Gerrit Cole matchup in the elimination contest.
While manager Joe Maddon could decide to roll the dice with veteran Jon Lester, Arrieta is arguably the best pitcher in baseball right now. The right-hander ranks second in baseball with a 2.03 ERA and leads MLB in wins.
On the other hand, Cole is having a fantastic season of his own. The 24-year-old has a 2.54 ERA in 28 starts and is striking out over eight hitters per nine innings. Cole also ranks third in fastball velocity among major league starters.
Both Arrieta and Cole have emerged as two of baseball's fastest-rising stars over the last few seasons. A one-game, drama-infused Wild Card contest would be a fantastic venue for the casual MLB fan to catch a glimpse of the league's future.
Blue Jays-Yankees ALCS
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The New York Yankees were cruising toward an AL East title until Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos completely altered the landscape of the division.
After acquiring David Price and Troy Tulowitzki at the deadline, Toronto has been baseball's hottest team. The Blue Jays have since passed the Yankees in the AL East, setting up a fantastic battle for division supremacy over the season's final weeks.
Toronto and New York couldn't face each other until the ALCS, but what a matchup that would be. In the series between the two after the deadline, the games have had a legitimate playoff feel to them. Every pitch matters, which bodes well for a crucial postseason series.
If the two teams meet, there won't be a lack of firepower on display. The Blue Jays and Yankees boast the best two offenses in the game, headlined by a slew of MLB's top hitters. Pitching-wise, Price, Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino have the stuff to make headlines on the game's biggest stage.
More importantly, the atmosphere in both stadiums would be electric. New York doesn't have issues getting up for big games, while Toronto will likely be thrilled to see postseason baseball return for the first time since 1993.
Mets Rotation vs. Cardinals Rotation
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It's no secret that postseason baseball is often decided by starting pitching. If the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets face off in October, who won't tune in to witness two of the top rotations in MLB?
There's not a better staff top to bottom than the Cardinals. St. Louis starters have posted a 2.84 ERA in 2015, which is far and away the best mark in MLB. It's hard to pick which Cardinals starter has had the best year, as Michael Wacha (2.69 ERA), John Lackey (2.90 ERA), Lance Lynn (2.80 ERA), Carlos Martinez (3.04 ERA) and Jaime Garcia (1.89 ERA in 15 starts) have all breezed through opposing lineups.
But if any team can match St. Louis' rotation, it's the Mets. New York has climbed to the top of the NL East behind a rotation that ranks third in MLB in ERA. Jacob deGrom (2.40 ERA), Matt Harvey (2.60 ERA) and Noah Syndergaard (3.31 ERA) give manager Terry Collins three shutdown starters to use over the majority of a playoff series.
Both teams will enter the postseason with question marks, though. The Cards have been stellar all season, but Adam Wainwright's absence could be felt more in the postseason. Meanwhile, Harvey's inning-limit situation will be something to monitor over the coming weeks.
But make no mistake, there are few possible matchups that would have as much young pitching talent on display.
Clayton Kershaw Starting an Elimination Game
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Since his debut in 2008, Clayton Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball. The 27-year-old has a lifetime 2.44 ERA, six 200-plus strikeout seasons, three NL Cy Young Awards and a 2014 NL MVP to his name.
But when Kershaw's name is brought up in conversation among those in the baseball world, the black eye on his impressive resume does, too. In eight postseason starts, Kershaw is 1-5 with a 5.12 ERA. In a career that figures to rank among the game's best when it's all said and done, Kershaw still hasn't been capable of dominating in October.
Kershaw is headed for yet another test this postseason. The southpaw has dominated in 2015, posting a 2.18 ERA and leading baseball in strikeouts. In the second half, Kershaw has allowed eight earned runs in 71 innings while striking out 91 hitters and walking just seven.
Once again, there's not a pitcher in baseball who's throwing the ball any better than Kershaw as the season marches toward October. But can he finally slay his playoff demons? That question will follow Kershaw for the rest of his career if he doesn't put together a quality postseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
One thing is for sure: We can only hope that Kershaw finds himself in an elimination game, needing to pitch the Dodgers to a victory in order to keep their season alive.
Royals-Cardinals World Series
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Of all the potential World Series parings, a Kansas City Royals/St. Louis Cardinals matchup is the most intriguing.
On one hand, there's one of MLB's most storied franchises in the Cardinals. On the other, there's the fresh-faced, up-and-coming Royals squad. Throw in some geographical rivalry, and we could be talking about one of the most memorable Fall Classics in the history of the game.
Both teams play the game the right way. St. Louis and Kansas City put the ball in play, run the bases well, play stellar defense and throw strikes. Each roster is so balanced that it's hard to find a weakness in either team.
Of course, 240 miles separating the two fanbases won't hurt the atmosphere. Royals fans have often played second fiddle to their more accomplished neighbors, but a victory over the Cardinals in the World Series would feel different than most.
Due to the quality of play and atmosphere we would see in this series, there's not a better postseason matchup. If both the Royals and Cardinals are able to navigate their way to the World Series, baseball fans will be in for a treat.
Stats courtesy of FanGraphs and accurate as of Sept. 6.
